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James Burns: Fuentes finds free agency to be slow moving

The former Merced star is unemployed, a baseball free agent floating unattached in a pool teeming with talent, potential and huge price tags.

The caveat, of course, is that Fuentes isn't like many of the millions around the country without a job right now.

He's in high demand.

Always has been.

With a coveted left arm that can bend and speed up a baseball on command, the former Colorado Rockies closer will land another gig.

That much we're sure of.

That much he's sure of.

However, just when that multi-million-dollar deal arrives -- and where it takes Brian and his family -- remains to be seen.

The hard truth is that Fuentes may be no closer to a deal than when he started meeting with general managers at the beginning of the week.

As of Thursday afternoon, while Major League Baseball was shutting down its winter meetings in Las Vegas, Fuentes was sitting in a school parking lot.

Waiting on a bell.

Waiting for his kids.

The irony was a bit unnerving -- even for a guy charged with performing during baseball's hairiest moments.

For now at least, one of the game's top relief pitchers was nothing more than a stay-at-home daddy.

Just another car in a long line of sedans, SUVs and yellow buses.

"It's tough. You wait a long time to have this kind of leverage (in free agency) and have some idea where you're going," said Fuentes, who won back the closer role in Colorado last season and finished with 30 saves.

"Now that it's here, I feel like I've put myself in a good position, but...

"I'm unemployed. I haven't hooked up with a team yet, so there is a shadow of doubt there.

"Where am I going to move my family? When do I pack my things? Where am I going to pitch next?

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